Zither.



J. JANSON.

ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24, 1912.

1,1 16,287. Patented Nov. 3, 19m

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body 1 by means of the strips 8.

JULIUS JANSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ZITHER.

T0 all-whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS JANsoN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Zithers,of which the fol owing is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates, to zithers and has for its object the productionof an eflicient frame for a zither whereby the upper portion thereofwill be efiiciently supported so as to constitute an efficient soundingboard.

Another object of this invention is the production of an efficientbracing means for bracing the top of the body of the zither the pointwhere the string tightening means is secured.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in generalof certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of partsas will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and specifically claimed.

In the drawings :Figure l is a top plan view of the Zither. Fig. 2 is acentral horizontal section showing the top of the zither in bottom plan.Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the zither. Fig. A is adetail perspective of the bracing means for the wire or stringtightening mechanism.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that the zither comprisesan elongated body 1 having a row of string hitch pins 2 formed upon eachend. A string support ing bridge 3 is supported upon each end of thebody 1 and a pair of string supporting bridges 4: are carried centrallyof the body 1. The top board 5 which constitutes a sounding board isbraced intermediate its ends by means of a substantially Z shapedbracing member 6 which bracing member is supported upon the bottom board7 of the These strips 8 are provided with notched portions 9 in whichnotched portions 9 fit the ends 10 of the brace member 6. The brace mem-Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 24, 1912.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

SerialNo. 716,888.

her 6 is so formed as to extend under the bridges i, as is clearlyillustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Vire tightening keys 11 pass through the sounding board 5 and supportingmember 6 for facilitating the tightening of the wires or strings fortuning the instrument. A comparatively long primary supporting cleat issupported upon each side of the brace member 6 by means of the bottom 7and these primary bracing cleats 12 taper toward their upper edges forengaging the sounding board 5 thereby presenting a very slight contactthroughout its entire length, although at the same time constituting anefiicient brace for the top plate or sounding board.

An auxiliary bracing cleat 18 is carried by the bottom 7 near each endthereof and this auxiliary brace is slightly shorter than the primarybrace 12 and is of the same shape as the brace 12 tapering toward thetop edge thereof.

It will be seen that since the supporting cleats 12 and 13 taper towardtheir upper edge, a very narrow upper edge has been produced whichengages the sounding board 5. In this manner the vibration of thesounding board 5 will be greatly reduced so as to deaden or soften thesound as the either is played. It will, of course, be seen that thenarrow edge will eiiiciently support the sounding board whileaccomplishing the desired effect of softening the sound. By carefullyreferring to the drawing, it will further be seen that the supportingcleats 12 and 13 taper toward their ends so as to allow only a smallportion of the tapering upper edge to engage the top sounding board 5'.In this manner no sharpened end will be presented, nor is there abroadened cleat which would deaden the sound altogether.

What is claimed is A zither comprising a body, said body provided with atop board and a bottom board, a bracing member between said top andbottom boards, strips carried by said bottom board and supporting saidbracing top board for reducing the vibration of said member, spacingcleats carried by said bottom board, each spacing cleat constituting 'asubstantially inverted V in cross-section and tapering downwardly uponthe top edge thereof toward each end of said cleat, a portion of theupper edges of said cleats slightly engaging the under face of saidCopies of this patent may be obtained for top board.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JULIUS JANSON. Witnesses:

M. ALEX SALONG, FRITsz. TATTER.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

